First-time Federal Direct Stafford Loan recipients at Gardner-Webb must complete "Loan Entrance Counseling" before funds can be disbursed. Recipients must also complete a Federal Direct Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). Please refer to the loan section of our web page for more information.

The Federal Direct Stafford Loan is based on the cost of education as well as annual and aggregate (overall) loan limits. Funds from this loan are disbursed each term according to your award notification and promissory note disclosures. Interest on this loan begins to accrue as soon as you receive it.

Entrance Counseling

Complete Loan Entrance Counseling - If you are a first-time borrower you must complete Loan Entrance Counseling, as required by the U.S. Department of Education, before any loan funds are disbursed to your student account. By clicking the link below, you will be able sign in and select the Entrance Counseling session for Stafford Loans. An electronic confirmation will be sent to Gardner-Webb once the counseling session is completed.

Federal Direct Stafford Loans (Subsidized or Unsubsidized)

Complete Your Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note - The U.S. Department of Education serves as the lender for all Direct Stafford Loans. As part of accepting your student loan, you must complete the required Federal Direct Stafford Loan Master Promissory Note (MPN). Once completed, it will be used as long as you are enrolled at Gardner-Webb. The Dept. of Education will send Gardner-Webb an electronic confirmation once you complete this requirement. REMEMBER — The Dept. of Education will not disburse your loan funds until the MPN is completed!

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Complete Your Request for a Federal Direct PLUS Loan

In order to determine eligibility for a PLUS loan, the Parent Borrower must first initiate a credit check. The credit check is completed online, and results are made available to both the Parent Borrower and Gardner-Webb. If the credit check is approved, the Parent will be prompted to complete the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (PMPN). If the credit check is not approved, results are also provided to the Parent Borrower and Gardner-Webb. In the case where the credit is not approved, the student may be eligible to borrower additional Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan funds.

Information You Need Before Getting Started:

U.S. Department of Education PIN Number (This is the same PIN Number used to sign your student’s FAFSA; if you do not know your PIN Number you can retrieve it at www.pin.ed.gov).

Alternative Loans

Alternative Loans are an option when additional funding is needed to meet your educational expenses. Gardner-Webb University does not have a Preferred Lender List; therefore, we do not promote or endorse any specific lender. Students are free to choose any lender they wish. We may ask for additional information regarding your lender before completing certification of your Alternative Loan.

FASTChoice is a tool which provides the lenders that students historically have used to fund their Alternative Loan needs at Gardner-Webb. It allows students and parents the ability to search, compare, and apply for alternative loans.

Exit Counseling Graduation Candidates

Congratulations! The U.S. Department of Education requires that all graduates complete an exit counseling session prior to graduation. You will receive a notification from the Financial Planning Office when it is time for you to complete this requirement. You will be able to visit the National Student Loan Database Student Access website to complete the counseling session. Once prompted by the Financial Planning Office, please visit the link below, in order to fulfill this requirement, so that there are no road blocks to obtaining your degree.